About 64% of IT Project Leaders Spend Over 20% of Work Time on "Checks and Reworks"

A survey conducted in June 2026 targeting 200 individuals in the IT industry revealed that approximately 64% of PMs, PLs, and team leaders (37 respondents) spend over 20% of their work time on checks and rework. [Survey by Global Link Inc.]

Global Link Inc. has released the first installment of its ongoing survey activities to visualize management practices in the IT industry, focusing on PMs, PLs, and team leaders (preliminary report).

The data clearly shows that dealing with checks and rework is severely impacting the work hours of site leaders.

Survey Results (1): Approximately 64% Spend Over 20% of Time on Checks and Reworks

[Figure 1] Proportion of Work Time Spent on Checks and Reworks (n=37)

[Figure 1] Proportion of work time spent on checks and rework (Target: 37 PM/PL Leaders). Approximately 64% of leaders responded that they spend over 20% of their work time on these tasks. [Survey by Global Link Inc.]

The reality is that more than two out of three PM/PL leaders spend over one-fifth of their work time on "checks and corrections" rather than on core design, development, and management tasks. This time loss is a structural issue directly linked to the team's overall throughput and delivery risks.

Survey Results (2): "Handling Additional Requests" is the Most Time-Consuming Task

[Figure 2] Ranking of Most Time-Consuming Tasks in the Past Month (n=37, multiple responses)

[Figure 2] Ranking of most time-consuming tasks in the past month (Target: 37 PM/PL Leaders, multiple responses). The top three items are: 1st place "Handling additional requests from clients" (43%), 2nd place "Checks and inquiries" (38%), and 3rd place "Responding to progress delays" (35%). [Survey by Global Link Inc.]

All of the top three items primarily involve coordination and alignment rather than the design and development itself. Rework and re-handling also ranked 7th (22%), confirming with data that the structure hinders concentration on core tasks.

Survey Results (3): The Biggest Cause of Rework is "Differences in Requirement Understanding" (49%)

[Figure 3] Main Causes of Checks and Reworks (n=37, multiple responses)

[Figure 3] Main reasons for checks and main causes of rework (Target: 37 PM/PL Leaders, multiple responses). The primary cause of rework is "differences in requirement understanding" (49%), while the main reasons for checks are "ambiguous requirements," "lack of documentation," and "lack of member experience," each at 32% and ranking highest. [Survey by Global Link Inc.]

It can be said that the fragility of the information infrastructure underlies both checks and rework. Therefore, improving the quality and transparency of requirements definitions, specifications, and instructions can be a structural solution to reduce both checking tasks and rework.

Survey Results (4): Top Priority is "Resolving Siloed Knowledge," AI Adoption Still Developing

[Figure 4] Most Prioritized Operational Issues / Current Improvement Measures (n=37, multiple responses)

[Figure 4] Most prioritized operational issues and currently implemented improvement measures (Target: 37 PM/PL Leaders, multiple responses). The top priority issue is "resolving siloed knowledge" at 32%. On the other hand, current initiatives are mainly "knowledge sharing" (32%) and "manual development" (30%), with 19% not having implemented anything yet. A significant gap exists between the perceived issues and the implemented measures. [Survey by Global Link Inc.]

While "resolving siloed knowledge" is cited as the top priority issue, the implemented measures remain traditional, such as knowledge sharing and manual development. Interest in AI utilization is low, at 8% for priority issues and 19% for implemented measures, indicating that countermeasures are not keeping pace with the severity of the problems.

Survey Results (5): Over Half Feel Limits to Improvement, 60% Attracted to Halving Rework

[Figure 5] Sense of Limits in Improvement / Interest in Halving Rework (n=37)

[Figure 5] Are current initiatives sufficiently improving the situation? / Do you feel attracted to halving rework? (Target: 37 PM/PL Leaders). "Not improving" is approximately 51%, and "feeling attracted to halving rework" is approximately 59%. [Survey by Global Link Inc.]

While over half feel the limitations of their current initiatives, there is latent demand for appropriate solutions. Interest in mechanisms for reduction reaches 62%, highlighting the need for concrete means to solve these issues.

Five Discoveries from This Survey:

* Approximately 64% of PMs and PLs spend over 20% of their time on checks and rework, rather than core management tasks. * The tasks consuming the most time are not design, but additional requests, checks, and coordination. * The biggest cause of rework is differences in requirement understanding, indicating significant room for improvement in the information infrastructure. * Siloed knowledge is the biggest challenge, requiring organizational knowledge sharing. * There is high demand for improvement, and receptiveness to new operational improvement solutions has been confirmed.

Representative's Comment

This survey revealed that PMs and PLs spend a significant amount of time on checks and rework, more than on their core management duties. In an era of talent shortages, it is crucial not only to increase personnel but also to visualize time loss and improve it through systematic approaches. We will continue to conduct surveys and share insights to help improve productivity in the IT industry.

Future Developments

We will periodically release a full report that expands the survey scope and includes company interviews. Analyses by company size, industry, and job role will also be provided sequentially.

How to Obtain the Survey Report

This report is available free of charge. Registered individuals will receive the survey report via email upon its release or update. https://zero-maze.jp

Company Overview

Company Name

Global Link Inc.

Representative

Jun'ya Watanabe, President and Representative Director

Location

Esperanza Kanda-Sudacho 9F, 1-10-42 Kanda-Sudacho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo

Established

October 2005

Capital

20 million yen

Business Activities

Organizational improvement support, fact-finding surveys, and consulting for IT companies.

Official Website

https://gl-link.com